What To Wear

We all have occasions in life when we want to look our best. When those occasions involve photography, it’s even more important to look amazing, since that moment in time will be captured forever!

Photographs tell the story of a family. And one of the first things we notice when we look at a photograph is what people are wearing. For some of us, choosing what to wear is easy, but for others it can be something to lose sleep over. I am someone who loves planning outfits and creating fun looks in my head. But even I stress a little over what to wear for my own family photo sessions. Looking and feeling your best can make the difference between a good photo and a great photo.

I’m excited to share with you all my tips on how to put your look together. I always like to start with location and dress accordingly. Are you taking photos at a pumpkin patch in the fall? Jeans, boots, and cozy sweaters are a great place to start. Winter shoot? Go ahead and break out your flannels! Springtime in a flower field? Try a romantic look in muted colors. And for a beach shoot in the summer, stripes and brights can be really fun. T

he most important part of choosing what to wear is that you are wearing colors that flatter you. Do you know what color makes your eyes pop, and what color washes you out? My grandma always taught me to hold up a piece of clothing under my chin and I still use this wise technique.

If a color doesn’t flatter you, don’t wear it for a photo no matter how cute that sweater looks on the hanger. Cream, blue, dusty pink, gray, and other muted colors always look nice in photos.

Florals can be extremely tricky. If you do wear a floral, balance out the photo by having everyone else wear solids in complementary colors.

Part of looking your best in photos is being comfortable. That means not wearing an outfit that makes you feel like you have to suck in your stomach, or worried that it will move in an unflattering way. Wear something that makes you feel like you can be yourself. For children, I prefer that they not be wearing suits and fancy dresses. That said, you still want to look your best. Save the baseball hats, sports gear, character tee shirts, and fitbits for another day. These types of things can be very distracting in photos. Hats tend to cast shadows on the face, and characters, words, and logos will draw attention away from your beautiful faces.

Speaking of beautiful faces, let’s talk about makeup! If it’s in the budget, hiring a professional to do your makeup and hair can really take your look to the next level. A professional will know exactly how to apply makeup in such a way to make your features pop on camera. If you are doing your makeup yourself, apply a little more generously than you normally would. Even out your skin with foundation or powder, give yourself a nice rosy cheek, and apply lipstick. To make your eyes pop, consider using eyeliner and mascara even if you don’t normally wear them, and fill in eyebrows.

Let’s finish up with shoes and other accessories. Definitely go the extra mile and wear nice shoes that are appropriate both for your outfit and the location. Jewelry and watches are fun but can occasionally draw too much attention away from your face, so go for pieces that are simple and timeless.

I love to see people being themselves and wearing bright colors and fun things, but if you have any hesitation about what you’d like to wear, just ask me! I’m happy to help you determine what will work best for the destination and for the camera.